Regret missing World Cup match against Australia: Mohammad Irfan

Mohammad Irfan during a Pakistan training session

Pakistan’s left-arm pacer Mohammad Irfan is ready to come back on the international platform, having recovered completely from the pelvic stress fracture he had sustained during the ICC World Cup. The tall cricketer still regrets missing the biggest match of the World Cup this year.

"I am fine now and completely fit as the rehabilitation process has been very good, but the regret is still there. I couldn't play in the World Cup quarter-final against Australia and that was such a big match.I was so pumped up in that tournament and was bowling with fire, but I guess one can't fight such things," he said.

The 33-year-old Irfan made a comeback to competitive cricket yesterday in a national level T20 Ramazan tournament in Faisalabad after a long period of three and half months. He was the key player for Pakistan in the World Cup, taking eight wickets from five matches with best figures of 4/30 against Zimbabwe.

Have learnt to cope with batsmen’s mindset: Irfan

Irfan is hopeful of returning to international cricket next month against Sri Lanka.

"I am playing here with the permission of the cricket board and selectors, they wanted to see how I respond after recovering from the injury and I am hopeful I would be considered for the one-dayers and T20 game in Sri Lanka next month. I enjoy cricket and bowling and it is a challenge bowling in T20 cricket, but I have learnt how to cope with the mindset of the batsmen now," he said.

The ODI series between Pakistan and Sri Lanka will be played from July 11 to July 26.